Category: Obituaries
How to share a loss with the Michigan Conference.
Death notices will be sent on behalf of the Michigan Conference by the Communications Staff via e-blast for active and retired clergy, clergy spouses, clergy dependents and members to the annual conference when requested and with permission from a family member. Recipients are local churches and anyone who has subscribed to the death notice/prayer request database. To subscribe, go to the Subscription page.
The annual conference memorial service honors those who we have lost up to March 1st and for whom we have received notice by March 13th. Anyone received after the March 1st deadline will be recognized the following year at Annual Conference.
Read MoreAnnouncements include:
- Clergy, including part-time and full-time local pastors.
- Retired clergy as defined above.
- Spouses and surviving spouses of active and retired clergy.
- Dependent children of clergy [this includes stepchildren] still living in the parsonage.
- Diaconal ministers.
- Lay members of the previous annual conference.
- Laypersons of the conference support staff and ministry team, past or present.
- Missionaries related to the conference.
When death of a person in one of the above categories is known:
- The person reporting the death should provide the information to the district office where the deceased resided or attended a local church if known or provide the information to the to the conference office
- Information must include
- the name of the individual
- date of death
- relationship to the conference/clergy member
- history when available
- visitation and funeral information
- where condolences can be sent
- photographs are appreciated
- Death notices for extended relatives (parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) will be sent out as a monthly summary by the Communications Office and may be posted immediately by any individual on the Michigan Conference Facebook group page
- We encourage these types of announcements also be sent out by district email when deemed appropriate. Please note, there is a formatted design for these announcements in the MailChimp system that can be adapted and utilized.
- Death notices for any immediate or extended family of a staff member will be sent to the All Staff e-blast list and also included in the month summary e-blast sent to the death notice database.
Have more questions?
Please contact Kristen Gillette
William A. Hertel
April 12, 1939 – February 18, 2024 Pastor William “Bill” A. Hertel, age 84, of Traverse City, Michigan went to be with the Lord on February 18, 2024. He was… Continue Reading William A. Hertel
Jane A. Berquist
October 10, 1936 – January 30, 2024 Rev. Jane A. Berquist – At 12:24 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the Rev. Jane Ann Berquist—Mom, Ahma, Granny, and Ma—left her… Continue Reading Jane A. Berquist
Marshall G. Dunlap
April 16, 1958 – January 29, 2024 Pastor Marshall Grant Dunlap, 65, of Farmington Hills. MI, peacefully passed away on January 29. 2024 at home, after a long battle with… Continue Reading Marshall G. Dunlap
Donald C. Schark
January 3, 1950 – January 9, 2024 Donald Christian Schark, 74 of Menominee, MI entered eternal rest on Tuesday January 9, 2024 at Aurora Medical Center – Bay Area in… Continue Reading Donald C. Schark
Joyce A. Mitchell
October 3, 1956 — January 3, 2024 Wife of Pastor Mark Mitchell, Joyce Ann (Pearcy) Mitchell, 67 of Lakeview, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Joyce was born… Continue Reading Joyce A. Mitchell
Ruth P. Cooper
March 28, 1931 – December 29, 2023 Wife of Rev. Dr. O. William “Bill” Cooper Jr., Ruth Paula Cooper passed away on December 29, 2023, in Fort Collins, Colorado. She… Continue Reading Ruth P. Cooper
Annie R. Callis
December 19, 2023 Spouse of Pastor Kenneth R. Callis, Annie Ruth Callis died on December 19, 2023.
William P. McBride
May 23rd, 1950 – December 17th, 2023 The Reverend William Parker McBride, 73, of Port Huron, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 17, 2023, after a brief… Continue Reading William P. McBride
Donald A. Russell
September 8, 1929 – December 5, 2023 Pastor Donald A. “Don” Russell (94) died peacefully at home on December 5, 2023, deeply attended by his family and with his beloved… Continue Reading Donald A. Russell
Douglas L. Pedersen
August 11. 1943 – December 5, 2023 Pastor Douglas Lyle Pedersen, 80, of Battle Creek, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at home. He… Continue Reading Douglas L. Pedersen